“Because I killed his wife and children.”
“Reaper, I am leaving tomorrow. At least send the women and children away. My island is secure. I can protect them.”
“You may have convinced Giovanni but not me.”
“Giovanni has decided to stay. Something came up. He’s not leaving Chicago.”
Reaper grinned. “Then there you have it. We’re staying.”
No one said another word as the Guardian got up from his seat and left. What was there to say. What our President said was law. We did as he demanded.
“Now, back to Jess.”
“She ain’t leaving,” I growled.
“I agree,” Reaper said, having my back. “And I think it’s about time we put this beef between our two clubs to rest, King. Jess is my biological sister. She is your niece. She is Savage’s woman. Her home is here.”
King shook his head. “No. Her home is with her family.”
“My home is with the father of my child,” Jess said clearly, walking towards the group. What? I blinked several times letting her words sink in. Getting to my feet, I walked over to her and whispered, “Really?”
“Yeah. Apparently, antibiotics void out birth control. As a nurse, I should have remembered that,” she blushed, looking up at me then turned to King, “I’m staying with Savage.”
“Fuck,” King cursed, hanging his head then sighed standing up. “You’ve got your truce Reaper but if one hair is harmed on her head, the Sons of Hell will make your life a living hell.”
I watched as Reaper and King shook hands, finally ending the decade long tensions between our two clubs.
I never thought I’d live to see the day. For so many years the animosity between our two clubs was something every brother had to be mindful when out on club runs. Reaper was right. Since he took over, he put a stop to all the trafficking, but the Sons of Hell didn’t know that. Now they did and thanks to my woman. My beautiful Jess our clubs were on the path to peace.
“I don’t want to know what that suit was talking about,” King said. “But I do want your word that if whatever is happening affects my niece, I want her shipped back to Virginia immediately. I meant what I said Reaper. Not one hair out of place.”
“I give you my word,” I said, speaking for Reaper. Though Reaper was the president, Jess was my woman. She was my responsibility.
King, Gunner and Pyro walked over to me and Jess.
“You look so much like our sister,” King whispered lightly, touching Jess’s hair. “I want you to know that we never stopped looking for her.”
Gunner cleared his throat and asked, “How did she die?”
“She was strangled to death. The man who killed her is dead.” Jess said, as Gunner looked away, clenching his fist.
“Did she have a good life?” King asked.
“She loved me and I loved her. I miss her every day.”
“Where was she buried?” Pyro carefully asked.
“She wasn’t,” Jess admitted. “I had her cremated and her ashes spread over the Smokey Mountains, right outside Gatlinburg. Mom would always talk about camping there as a child. She loved the mountains. I thought she would have liked that.”
King’s voice cracked. “Thank you for that. If you ever need anything, anything at all just call. We will all come.”
“I will.”
All three of her uncles turned and left the clubhouse, never looking back.
Seeing their faces, knowing the pain they were feeling brought back the harsh reality of my own sister and how I failed her. I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone.
Yet, that was one thing the four of us would always have in common.